New Auto Insurance Cost Reduction Update by MI. Senator Ed McBroom

New auto insurance rules take effect for policies renewing on or after July 1st, 2020. There is a complex interplay between our car insurance and our health coverage. In many ways we may be paying more then we need to for both of the coverage. The new law changes this so that you can select the coverage that is most beneficial for you. If you have other insurance, like medical coverage, that covers you in accidents you may choose a different selection. 

This is a legislation that saves money for people while still allowing consumers to have more choice. 

It does something a little more. It also reduces discrimination in policies. Insurance often charged based on education, zip code, occupation, sex, marital status and home ownership, etc. to make decisions. This often had an adverse impact on certain populations that may not fit these "white picket fence" suburban criteria. Trust me...I used to live in the Detroit area and the cost of minimum insurance was about what I pay now for full coverage. 

Senator McBroom is from the U.P. of Michigan and represents the 38th District. You can find additinal information HERE. The U.P. is a rural eco-tourist area that is becoming ripe for investment and business development. 

When Republicans and Democrats work together to create bi-partisan legislation it often turns out much better. This is an example. The following was taken from a press release...lots of great details.....

Executive Order on Federal Contractors and Hiring American Workers

The recent Presidential Executive Order on hiring American workers for Federal contracting jobs. I'm not an expert on this issue so I can't say much other than in general. It takes time to review and analyze the multiple impacts of any change. I can say where it makes sense and where it is reasonable to do so companies have a responsibility to hire American workers. We are moving into a new world and while globalization is going to be increasingly important we must do our best to ensure our economy comes back and employs the most amount of people possible. It should be noted that some of the money spent on these contractors will be American taxpayer money so it would make sense to maximize American employment. 

The following press release was taken from HERE. 

Executive Order on Aligning Federal Contracting and Hiring Practices With the Interests of American Workers

Issued on: August 3, 2020

By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, it is hereby ordered as follows:

Section 1. Policy. It is the policy of the executive branch to create opportunities for United States workers to compete for jobs, including jobs created through Federal contracts. These opportunities, particularly in regions where the Federal Government remains the largest employer, are especially critical during the economic dislocation caused by the 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. When employers trade American jobs for temporary foreign labor, for example, it reduces opportunities for United States workers in a manner inconsistent with the role guest-worker programs are meant to play in the Nation’s economy.

Sec. 2. Review of Contracting and Hiring Practices. (a) The head of each executive department and agency (agency) that enters into contracts shall review, to the extent practicable, performance of contracts (including subcontracts) awarded by the agency in fiscal years 2018 and 2019 to assess:

(i) whether contractors (including subcontractors) used temporary foreign labor for contracts performed in the United States, and, if so, the nature of the work performed by temporary foreign labor on such contracts; whether opportunities for United States workers were affected by such hiring; and any potential effects on the national security caused by such hiring; and

(ii) whether contractors (including subcontractors) performed in foreign countries services previously performed in the United States, and, if so, whether opportunities for United States workers were affected by such offshoring; whether affected United States workers were eligible for assistance under the Trade Adjustment Assistance program authorized by the Trade Act of 1974; and any potential effects on the national security caused by such offshoring.

(b) The head of each agency that enters into contracts shall assess any negative impact of contractors’ and subcontractors’ temporary foreign labor hiring practices or offshoring practices on the economy and efficiency of Federal procurement and on the national security, and propose action, if necessary and as appropriate and consistent with applicable law, to improve the economy and efficiency of Federal procurement and protect the national security.

(c) The head of each agency shall, in coordination with the Director of the Office of Personnel Management, review the employment policies of the agency to assess the agency’s compliance with Executive Order 11935 of September 2, 1976 (Citizenship Requirements for Federal Employment), and section 704 of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2020, Public Law 116-93.

(d) Within 120 days of the date of this order, the head of each agency shall submit a report to the Director of the Office of Management and Budget summarizing the results of the reviews required by subsections (a) through (c) of this section; recommending, if necessary, corrective actions that may be taken by the agency and timeframes to implement such actions; and proposing any Presidential actions that may be appropriate.

Sec. 3. Measures to Prevent Adverse Effects on United States Workers. Within 45 days of the date of this order, the Secretaries of Labor and Homeland Security shall take action, as appropriate and consistent with applicable law, to protect United States workers from any adverse effects on wages and working conditions caused by the employment of H-1B visa holders at job sites (including third-party job sites), including measures to ensure that all employers of H-1B visa holders, including secondary employers, adhere to the requirements of section 212(n)
(1) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1182(n)(1)).

Sec. 4. General Provisions. (a) Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect:

(i) the authority granted by law to an executive department or agency, or the head thereof; or

(ii) the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals.

(b) This order shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations.

(c) This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.

DONALD J. TRUMP

THE WHITE HOUSE,
August 3, 2020.

Diving a Green Private Quarry-Michigan Outdoors

Michigan is one of the most beautiful places in the country. The Upper Peninsula has everything from diving to downhill skiing. In this case a few friends and I went out and dived a private quarry. It was once used to obtain raw materials to build magnificent buildings in other places like Detroit. Times change and the quarry was eventually filled in and people purchased the property. They still let us go out there no charge. :)

Grants by The Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund (MNRTF) Can Improve Outdoor Recreation for Delta County and Rest of Michigan

Politics is politics and there are times when good legislation comes around and we should provide support. It doesn't matter who proposed it and whether or not it is Republican or Democrat. When ideas bubble that are to the benefit of the people and make sense we should accept that as good legislation. Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed this legislation on Friday and it makes sense as people need more exercise and a healthy respect for the great outdoors. 

COVID has changed our perception of life and the outdoors. Environmentalism and protecting the environment has become increasingly important as we question the benefits of cement forests. If you notice major cities were ghost towns during the initial stages of the pandemic which made outdoor recreation even more important. We also have come to learn in recent times the psychological, physical and environmental benefits of having lots of green around.

Places like Delta County have an opportunity to capitalize on their outdoor location through eco-tourism and greater public awareness of the area's benefits. Local administrators may want to explore some of the financial resources and local needs to see where improvement can be made. When money is available and it appears to have benefit for a lot of people we should take advantage of that. Escanaba and Gladstone can be eco-tourist destinations in a way that improves local lives but can also enhance opportunities through its geographic location for distribution and micro-tourism manufacturing.

NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION ACT
Act 451Part 19
NATURAL RESOURCES TRUST FUND

Program Objective: The Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund (MNRTF) projects provide for natural resource protection and outdoor recreation. By law, no more than 25 percent of the Trust Fund revenues available for appropriation each year can be used for development, therefore the majority of funding is allocated for acquisition projects. Final grant recommendations are made by the MNRTF Board to the state legislature for final approval.

Criteria: Applications are evaluated on established criteria such as natural resource access and conservation, proximity to population clusters, applicant's committed matching funds, applicant's financial need, and priority projects of the Trust Fund Board (e.g., trails, regional significance, public access to lakes and rivers, wildlife habitat, hunting access)

Deadline: April 1, of the year of application.

Timeline of Approval: 12 to 18 months after the application deadline

Amount: $15,000 to $300,000. No Limitations on land purchases.

Legislation: Act 451 Part 19

Program Manager: Program Manager: Jon Mayes, 517-284-5954, MayesJ@Michigan.gov, or Grants Management Staff

Forms and Information and Stuff: HERE

Bennett, Courtney (August 3rd, 2020). Gov. Whitmer approves $28 million in outdoor recreation development. Mid Michigan Now. https://nbc25news.com/news/local/gov-whitmer-approves-28-million-in-outdoor-recreation-development

DNR. Natural Resources Trust Fund. Retrieved August 4th, https://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,4570,7-350-79134_81684_79209_81657---,00.html?utm_campaign=whitmer%20approves%20trust%20fund%20grants&utm_medium=pr&utm_source=govdelivery

 

Trump Press Release August 3rd, 2020-Telehealth & Rural Hospital

Telehealth was a big part of the discussion today. If there is one thing that COVID taught us is that our general health is important. We have also struggled with high medical costs throughout the country. Telehelath offers opportunities to reduce cost by focusing more on preventative maintenance. In most cases doctors talk to patients and can check issues for basic check-ups online. Patients with serious issues may need to go it. It may also be helpful if people occasionally go in for physical inspections. 

Rural healthcare has been an issue for some time. Hospitals in the country like OSF St. Francis Hospital have issues as they relate to financing. COVID placed financial stress on them. Furthermore, they have a higher elderly population that don't have access to public transportation. Telehealth and strengthening our rural hospitals makes a difference places like Escanaba and Gladstone. Our elderly population will have greater access to the healthcare they need.

The following was taken from https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/executive-order-improving-rural-health-telehealth-access/

Executive Order on Improving Rural Health and Telehealth Access

 HEALTHCARE

 

 Issued on: August 3, 2020

By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, it is hereby ordered as follows:

Section 1.  Purpose.  My Administration is committed to improving the health of all Americans by improving access to better care, including for the approximately 57 million Americans living in rural communities.  Americans living in rural communities face unique challenges when seeking healthcare services, such as limited transportation opportunities, shortages of healthcare workers, and an inability to fully benefit from technological and care-delivery innovations.  These factors have contributed to financial insecurity and impaired health outcomes for rural Americans, who are more likely to die from five leading causes, many of which are preventable, than their urban counterparts.  That gap widened from 2010 to 2017 for cancer, heart disease, and chronic lower respiratory disease.

Since 2010, the year the Affordable Care Act was passed, 129 rural hospitals in the United States have closed.  Predictably, financial distress is the strongest driver for risk of closure, and many rural hospitals lack sufficient patient volume to be sustainable under traditional healthcare-reimbursement mechanisms.  From 2015 to 2017, the average occupancy rate of a hospital that closed was only 22 percent.  When hospitals close, the patient population around them carries an increased risk of mortality due to increased travel time and decreased access.

During the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE), hospitals curtailed elective medical procedures and access to in-person clinical care was limited.  To help patients better access healthcare providers, my Administration implemented new flexibility regarding what services may be provided via telehealth, who may provide them, and in what circumstances, and the use of telehealth increased dramatically across the Nation.  Internal analysis by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) showed a weekly jump in virtual visits for CMS beneficiaries, from approximately 14,000 pre-PHE to almost 1.7 million in the last week of April.  Additionally, a recent report by HHS shows that nearly half (43.5 percent) of Medicare fee-for-service primary care visits were provided through telehealth in April, compared with far less than one percent (0.1 percent) in February before the PHE.  Importantly, the report finds that telehealth visits continued to be frequent even after in-person primary care visits resumed in May, indicating that the expansion of telehealth services is likely to be a more permanent feature of the healthcare delivery system.

Rural healthcare providers, in particular, need these types of flexibilities to provide continuous care to patients in their communities.  It is the purpose of this order to increase access to, improve the quality of, and improve the financial economics of rural healthcare, including by increasing access to high-quality care through telehealth.

Sec. 2.  Launching an Innovative Payment Model to Enable Rural Healthcare Transformation.  Within 30 days of the date of this order, the Secretary of HHS (Secretary) will announce a new model, pursuant to section 1115A of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1315a), to test innovative payment mechanisms in order to ensure that rural healthcare providers are able to provide the necessary level and quality of care.  This model should give rural providers flexibilities from existing Medicare rules, establish predictable financial payments, and encourage the movement into high-quality, value-based care.

Sec. 3.  Investments in Physical and Communications Infrastructure.  Within 30 days of the date of this order, the Secretary and the Secretary of Agriculture shall, consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations, and in coordination with the Federal Communications Commission and other executive departments and agencies, as appropriate, develop and implement a strategy to improve rural health by improving the physical and communications healthcare infrastructure available to rural Americans.

Sec. 4.  Improving the Health of Rural Americans.  Within 30 days of the date of this order, the Secretary shall submit a report to the President, through the Assistant to the President for Domestic Policy and the Assistant to the President for Economic Policy, regarding existing and upcoming policy initiatives to:

(a)  increase rural access to healthcare by eliminating regulatory burdens that limit the availability of clinical professionals;

(b)  prevent disease and mortality by developing rural specific efforts to drive improved health outcomes;

(c)  reduce maternal mortality and morbidity; and

(d)  improve mental health in rural communities.

Sec. 5.  Expanding Flexibilities Beyond the Public Health Emergency.  Within 60 days of the date of this order, the Secretary shall review the following temporary measures put in place during the PHE, and shall propose a regulation to extend these measures, as appropriate, beyond the duration of the PHE:

(a)  the additional telehealth services offered to Medicare beneficiaries; and

(b)  the services, reporting, staffing, and supervision flexibilities offered to Medicare providers in rural areas.

Sec. 6.  General Provisions.  (a)  Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect:

(i)   the authority granted by law to an executive department or agency, or the head thereof; or

(ii)  the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals.

(b)  This order shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations.

(c)  This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.

DONALD J. TRUMP

THE WHITE HOUSE,
August 3, 2020.

Tik Tok Marks Big Data and Risks of Information

The world of big data is upon us and companies like Tik Tok are now part of that new world. The youth across the globe are using handheld portable cell phones that carry with them 20 and 30 applications each. Their data is being tracked 24/7 and with enough processing power and information one could see movement of people throughout society, what they are buying and who they are talking to. The only difference is that no one has collected all of that data and we shouldn't make it easy for governments to do that. 

That will mean better data protection, storing data bases in various paces, technology like block chain, deleting data if its not being used, encryption, and including data protection in treaties and business deals. Just like we discovered governments are seeking to steal information on COVID vaccines they also want to know about consumer behavior in society. 

Worse then unethical behavior for business purposes is unethical behavior by governments that want to use such information for nebulous purposes. Collecting and cross analyzing this data leaves one with a great amount of knowledge about people, their buying habits and their communities. When you apply modern psychological theory you could likely determine their motives as well. 

Turning High Potential Gifted Employees and Officers into "Game Changers"

Developing high potential gifted employees and young officers to maximize their skills and abilities is an important and difficult task that leads to increased performance for the whole organization. As the nation struggles against new global challenges it will need to create and develop stronger methods of raising human capital in ways the can innovate their environment. The selection of High Potential employees and officers to develop them through appropriate creative enhancement models leads to excellence throughout networked institutions. 

The development of creative high potential employees for civilian and military purposes has advantages for the nation. First, this population can develop and create new ways of thinking and solving complex problems that lead to environmental mastery. Whether you are in industry or in the military the use of creativity to solve complex and fluid problems with multiple players is important if we hope to create levels of business and military superiority. Our enemies don't stop innovating so we will need to innovate faster and further and that can happen through the gifted population. 

Let me give you one civilian and one military example. In the Civilian Case you may have a company that needs to find a new product to corner the market and better serve their customer based while in the Military case new technologies are needed to better integrate complex battle scenarios in a way that leads to stronger coordination of resources. Creative individuals can think beyond typical linear methods to explore multiple avenues at once to find new products and application of those products in different scenarios. 

Let's consider how an institution selects high potential candidates....

Selecting High Potential Employees and Officers: 

Highly capable employees have a few characteristics companies and military organizations look for when seeking to select a small percentage of their talent pool for advanced training (Ready, et. al, 2020). Out of that number a rare few may be exceptional and understanding what to look for when making selections is important:

1. Delivers results that are credible and not at the expense of others. 
2. Master new expertise beyond  technical knowledge.
3. Behavior and demeanor in the workplace
4. A drive to excel beyond the average. 
5. A consistent learner seeking out new knowledge and information.
6. An enterprising spirit. 

Highly driven employees with high potentiality are relatively rare and when a company finds one they may want to work with them to make greater change. That can be difficult if they do not know how to discover highly gifted employees and don't know how to turn potentiality into reality. Thus, greater understanding of giftedness/genius and performance is needed for maximum national development.

How to Foster the Creative Potential with the APT Model:

Once we select an employee or two we then need to understand the best ways of improving their knowledge base in a way that leads to creative activity and new innovative development. That is not an easy task as one must know how much knowledge they need to put concepts and ideas together to create novel solutions, products, and services. Different layers of information matched with motivation, intelligence and the environment create the right atmosphere.

Helping employees/officers develop their skills through appropriate enhancement models occurs when we can blend divergent thinking and specific functional knowledge to create greater awareness. It is a little like general knowledge and specific knowledge except one is about exploring options and the other provide specific application of new ideas. . 

In the development of genius employees and officers we will want to encourage divergent thinking that explores major possibilities and then moves to covergent thinking that reconstructs this knowledge into useful frameworks. Creative individuals explore and understand information through multiple ways of exploring and that leads to novel solutions. 

Creativity without practical application is fun but doesn't transform the lay of the land, military functioning, or the fundamental structure of the industries. Thus we must help move creative thinking to focused solution based results if we are to capitalize on them fully. That requires us to think about grooming and developing individuals to think in new ways to develop practical creativity.

Some organizations have done well developing practical creativity by using the Amusement Park Theoretical (APT) model of creativity. APT includes four domains such as Initial requirements, general thematic areas, domains, and micro-domains. Each of the categories has requirements in order of people to be successful:

 

Initial Requirements.To meet the initial requirements candidates should have the intelligence and motivation to engage in creative productions. 

General Thematic. General thematic areas require general intelligence and motivation in the fields of say math, art and science. 

Domains. These are domains of knowledge and ability. For example, a person may have be able to work within the domain of journalism but not poetry based on his/her personality and abilities. 

Micro-Domains. When one has focused on a particular area for some time (i.e. a specific aspect of economics that may be much more narrow than the field in which they are trained) they create what is called micro-domain knowledge that differentiates them from others. 

Success of taking high potential gifted employees and officers requires that there is a level of motivation, a proper environment and intelligence. Such traits often differentiate this groups from other groups because of the long-term focus that leads to actual performance. High potential employees/officers must have the ability to learn and display their knowledge in order to have practical performance. Thus a functioning "game changers" are groomed over time as they improve their skills and abilities in ways that have practical value for society. National development can be encouraged with higher levels of growth through enhanced human potential. 

Baer, J. & Kaufman, J. (2005). Bridging generality and specificity: the Amusement Park Theoritical (APT) Mode of Creativity. Roeper Review, 27 (3). 

Ready, D., et. al. (2010). The anatomy of high potential. Business Trategy REview, 21 (3).